Believe In Books

If you need assistance with the public file, please contact Keith Murray at 603-356-8870 or gm@wmwv.com.

If you need assistance please contact Keith Murray at 603-356-8870 or e-mail gm@wmwv.com.

(Washington, DC) – U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH) issued the following statements after the Christa McAuliffe Commemorative Coin became available for pre-order today, which is the 35th anniversary of the Challenger tragedy. Shaheen led the bipartisan legislation with Senators Mike Enzi (R-WY) and Hassan to create the commemorative coin in honor of Christa McAuliffe, the Concord teacher who died aboard the Space Shuttle Challenger in 1986. Proceeds from this coin will promote American commitment to Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education.

“On this difficult day, my thoughts are with Christa McAuliffe’s family and all who knew and loved her, as well as the family and friends of the six others lost aboard the Challenger. In New Hampshire schools and more across the country, it’s imperative that Christa’s story is told and that her legacy endures,” said Shaheen. “That’s why I wrote this legislation. It pays tribute to her life and devotion to education and helps ensure young people understand who Christa was and what she meant to her community and country. It is a fitting tribute to honor Christa’s memory by investing in STEM education, and I’m glad to see these commemorative coins be made available so we can make good on that effort. Her mission will live on in generations of students who will also reach for the stars.”

“Today we join together in remembering the life and legacy of Christa McAuliffe and the six others who lost their lives aboard the Challenger space shuttle,” said Hassan. “Christa’s passion for teaching and her ability to inspire a love of learning in the next generation endures. Her impressive legacy is taught in classrooms throughout New Hampshire and the country, and I am glad to be a part of efforts to honor her life further through this commemorative coin. The proceeds from this coin will help carry on Christa’s work to encourage more young people to get involved in STEM education and find their passion for discovery.”  

Shaheen’s bipartisan legislation to create a commemorative coin honoring Christa McAuliffe, the Christa McAuliffe Commemorative Coin Act, was signed into law in 2019. The bill passed the Senate and the House of Representatives with strong bipartisan support, and further reaffirms American commitment to Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education and supports it with proceeds from the coin.  Last month, Shaheen released a video message celebrating the coin’s unveiling. Senator Shaheen also entered a statement into the Congressional Record celebrating Christa McAuliffe’s life and service.

As the Vice Chair of the Senate Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee, Senator Shaheen has been a strong advocate for STEM education and scientific research funding priorities. During her time in the Senate, Shaheen has also worked to secure scientific research funding for New Hampshire universities and businesses. In June, Senator Shaheen hosted a virtual roundtable with NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine to highlight contracting opportunities for Granite State small businesses to support NASA’s ongoing space exploration technology research efforts and the Artemis program, which aims to land the next humans on the Moon. Last year, Bridenstine joined Shaheen in visits to the University of New Hampshire’s Space Science Center and Mikrolar, a contractor for NASA. The events came on the heels of UNH’s selection by NASA for a highly-competitive $107.9 million contract award through the Earth Venture program.

WASHINGTON, DC — The U.S. Postal Service will release three new stamps as part of 2021 price change: Barns, a 36-cent postcard stamp; Brush Rabbit, a 20-cent additional ounce stamp; and Castillo de San Marcos, a $7.95 Priority Mail stamp. The stamps will be available beginning Sunday, Jan. 24. There will be no national first-day-of-issue ceremony for these stamps.

The U.S. Postal Service has four new postcard stamps that celebrate the beauty and history of American barns. The artist created digital paintings of four types of iconic barns found in the rural American landscape. With differing qualities of light and color, each piece reflects one of the four seasons: a round barn surrounded by the hazy light and warm colors of fall; a gambrel-roofed barn in summer; a forebay barn in early spring; and a Western barn on a winter’s night. Ashley Walton designed the stamps with original artwork by Kim Johnson. Greg Breeding was the art director.

Along the bottom of each stamp is the word “postcard,” to indicate their usage. These stamps will always be valid for the rate printed on them.

The U.S. Postal Service features a brush rabbit (Sylvilagus bachmani) on this additional ounce stamp, available in a pane of 20 or a coil of 100. The brush rabbit is a small brownish cottontail rabbit of the U.S. West Coast and Baja California, Mexico. It lives mostly west of the Sierra Nevada range and south of the Columbia River, which defines the coastal Oregon-Washington border. The adult is about a foot long and generally weighs between 1 and 2 pounds.

The pencil-and-watercolor illustration is from preexisting artwork by designer and illustrator Dugald Stermer (1936-2011). Art director Ethel Kessler designed the stamp.

The words “additional ounce” on this stamp indicate its usage value. This stamp will always be valid for the rate printed on it.

The latest Priority Mail stamp, which bears the new price, celebrates the oldest masonry fortification in the United States, the Castillo de San Marcos in St. Augustine, FL.

The stamp art features a digital illustration of the fortress based on a contemporary photograph. With a view toward the northeast corner of the fortress, the artwork captures it in the golden glow of sunrise over Matanzas Bay. Art director Greg Breeding designed the stamp with art created by Chicago-based graphic illustrator Dan Cosgrove.

This stamp provides  a convenient way for customers to pay for Priority Mail Flat Rate shipping with a single stamp. Priority Mail is the Postal Service’s bestselling mail service. Domestic deliveries arrive in 1-3 business days depending on where a package starts and where it’s going. Tracking and insurance are included, and shipping boxes and envelopes are free.

Customers may purchase stamps and other philatelic products through the Postal Store at usps.com/shopstamps, by calling 800-STAMP24 (800-782-6724), by mail through USA Philatelic, or at Post Office locations nationwide.

Information for ordering first-day-of-issue postmarks and covers is at usps.com/shop.

The Mt. Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce is partnering with local ski and snowshoe members to offer Family Fun Snow Days, sponsored by Chalmers Insurance Group. All Chamber members and their family members are encouraged to plan in advance, download the participation form (see links below) and bring forms with them to enjoy a free day of skiing or snowshoeing and half-priced rentals (while supplies last). 

“Family Fun Snow Days is an opportunity to offer a great way to get out on the ski trails and spend some time outside. We are extremely grateful for this partnership with our member ski areas and appreciate the work they are doing during this time to continue offering outdoor adventure,” said Michelle Cruz, Events Manager at Mt Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce and coordinator of the program. “Our first Family Fun Snow Day at Great Glen Trails last weekend was a success, and many chamber members enjoyed the chance to get out on the trails, including my dog, Jack, and I!” finished Michelle.

The Chamber is still organizing additional Family Fun Snow Days for 2021.  Here are two events coming up in January and February.

January 24 & 25, 2021: JACKSON SKI TOURING FOUNDATION – Click here to print, and sign form to receive special offer
Join us at Jackson XC Touring Center on January 24 and 25 from 8:30 am – 4:00 pm. Jackson Ski Touring will offer free access to ski trails for all Mt. Washington Valley Chamber members (employees & family members included). Rentals will be available at 50% off on a first come first served basis.

January 31 & February 1: BRETTON WOODS NORDIC CENTER – Click here to print, and sign form to receive special offer
Join us at Bretton Woods Nordic Center on January 31 and February 1 from 8:30 am – 4:00 pm. Bretton Woods will offer free access to Nordic ski trails for all Mt. Washington Valley Chamber members (employees & family members included). Rentals will be available at 50% off.

All chamber members and their family members are required to download the participation form, obtain their employers’ signature and bring the form with them to the Family Fun Snow Day to participate in the event. 

This program is brought to you by the Mt Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce with support from Chalmers Insurance Group.

Look for additional Family Fun Snow Day events to be added to the schedule.  You’ll find complete information, links to participation forms and updated schedules at https://mtwashingtonvalley.org/members/index.cfm.  For questions, please call Michelle at 603-662-4984 or email events@mtwashingtonvalley.org.

Tune in tonight at 5pm to Drive Time: A Community Connection to the Valley where Michelle will be featured and will be talking all about Family Fun Snow Days.